Minaj hints of tensions behind her lack of Grammy nods

Despite having a big year in music, Nicki Minaj didn't receive any Grammy nominations for reasons that's "just between me and them", she says.

"I've gotten tonnes of awards and I believe when it's my time to get a Grammy, I'll get a Grammy," she said with a laugh.

The 30-year-old had one of last year's biggest hits with the multi-platinum dance-pop anthem Starships. Her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, has reached gold status and launched other hits on the rap and R&B charts.

But Minaj, who received three Grammy nominations last year, including best new artist and best rap album for her platinum debut, Pink Friday, was shut out when this year's nominations were announced.

"I think that the Grammys had a different reason, that I do not want to discuss ... and that's just between me and them," she said.

"But I respect their organisation and I'll get a Grammy eventually. I'm not worried about it."

A representative for The Recording Academy didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Minaj was featured on Ludacris' My Chick Bad, which was nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award, before she released her first album.

She was criticised when she released her second album last April for taking on a pop-and-electronic sound that echoed Katy Perry, Rihanna and Ke$ha. Roman Reloaded is a mesh of hip-hop, dance, pop, R&B and reggae flavours, and producers included radio hit makers like RedOne and Dr Luke.

"I understand that artists and critics make a big deal over the Grammys. But when I go to my shows and I'm selling out arenas in London, and when I'm in Australia and Japan, there aren't any Grammys there," she said.

"There are human beings who I've touched. There are human beings who are inspired by me, who I love dearly. And that's what my career is based on."

Minaj who is a new judge on American Idol, which screens on Network Ten, alongside Mariah Carey and Keith Urban, said she would probably be upset if she doesn't earn Grammy respect later in her career.

"You do feel good when you get awards and accolades," she said.

"Maybe if I had been doing this for 10 years and I thought like, 'Oh my god, I've put out 10 albums' - maybe it would have hurt my feelings. But I still feel so new that it's like, 'Charge it to the game'," she said. "It's part of the game."

Australian singer Keith Urban will be one of the presenters at the Grammys, which will be held in Los Angeles on February 10.

The five nominees for album of the year will perform at the awards show. The Recording Academy announced that R&B singer Frank Ocean will join Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys, Jack White and fun. on stage. While Alicia Keys and Maroon 5 will join forces for a special performance.

Six acts tie for the most nominations with six each, including Ocean, The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, Kanye West, Jay-Z, fun. and Mumford & Sons.

AP

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